The development boom in the North Loop shows no signs of slowing down as two new office building projects and another apartment development have been proposed for the neighborhood.

Following news of United Properties plans for a new eight-story office building at the site now home to Shapco Printing, another office building — a three-story, 16,400-square-feet office development called the Bickford — has been proposed for a lot nearby at 506 4th St. N. next to the Bookmen Stacks condos.

Scott Petinga, an entrepreneur behind the Bickford project, presented his concept for the building at the North Loop Neighborhood Association's Planning and Zoning Committee tonight after United Properties updated the group on its development project.

He said his marketing company, AKQURACY, will be one of the tenants in the building. There will also be spaces for other small entrepreneurial businesses and a cafe called Steam.

Hive Modular is the architectural firm on the project. They are seeking a LEED Platinum certification for the building, which will feature green roofs, solar panels, self-tinting windows designed to save energy and some other quirky green features, such as bathroom tiles made of recycled skateboard planks and walkways in the building made of old shipping containers.

Pending city approvals, Petinga would like to break ground this summer.

In a written statement about the project, Petinga said his work has been inspired by his battle with cancer. "Cancer had a monumental impact on me," he wrote. "I hope, through this project, that I can create the same kind of impact on our community — but in the most positive, progress way."

In addition to the United Properties project and the Bickford development, the Planning and Zoning Committee was briefed on another project from Schafer Richardson, a veteran developer in the neighborhood. The company has plans to convert the Gurley Building at 900 3rd St. N. into 30-market rate apartments. It's also looking at recruiting a bar or restaurant to be part of the project, said Maureen Michalski, a senior project manager with Schafer Richardson.